Despite “some unfortunate incidents” over the long holiday weekend, National Security Minister Wayne Caines said today that he was glad to say: “Our people largely had a respectful and safe summer break. And that makes it a huge success.”
In a statement released this afternoon the Minister noted that “Cup Match is an iconic event and for most Bermudians it is the longest holiday weekend”.
“Apart from the cricket match, there is a lot of revelry, but also rest and recreation for many hard working Bermudians.”
Commenting on the incident at Paradise Lakes, now under investigation by police, which resulted in a stabbing incident with two people also injured, he said both victims “were treated in hospital and released”.
And by the end of the Cup Match holiday weekend, he said police made a total of 48 arrests, including 12 on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Minister also pointed out there were a number of events involving large crowds of people having fun that occurred without incident.
Apart from the two-day Cup Match event, those events included major concerts, Beachfest, the Raft-Up in St George’s and the Raft-Up up at Mangrove Bay in Sandys, the former site of the Non-Mariners Race, which was cancelled earlier this year.
“Considering the amount of people, there were very few incidents,” said Mr Caines.
“We must thank our emergency service personnel. We see them as ‘first-responders’ when there is an incident, but we forget they are on duty – away from family and friends – during these holidays when the rest of us are having fun.
“They are on duty at all manner of unsociable hours to protect and serve us. They include people at the hospital and ambulance service, our firemen and people responsible for maritime safety. And there are many others.”
He also congratulated the Bermuda Police Service for the “robust policing plan for the holiday”, which “helped set the tone and reduce the number of incidents faced by the community”.
“The increased police presence was evident with 150 police officers on duty over the holiday, while a strong maritime presence included the BPS and the Royal Bermuda Regiment,” said the Minister.
“And our emphasis on alcohol awareness, we believe, won widespread community buy-in.”
